Retractable vehicle passenger cushioning system

ABSTRACT

A plurality of individually or collectively actuatable air bag restraint devices for disposition both forward of and alongside of each passenger seating area within a vehicle. Each individual device is strategically located to provide the maximum cushioning effect with a minimum of obstruction within the passenger seating area within the associated vehicle. Each air bag restraint device includes a hollow open-sided housing designed for flush or recessed mounting in an associated vehicle body portion and the open side of the housing is covered by a fluid impervious stretchable membrane whereby the discharging of a selected gas under pressure into the housing will cause the membrane to be inflated and expanded outwardly of the open side of the housing to cushion any object moving in a direction toward the housing.

Y [76] Inventor:

United States Patent 1 Haviland Harold R. Haviland, 1038 Latty,Defiance, Ohio 43512 22 Filed: May 4,1972

21 App1.No.: 250,326

[52] 11.8. C1. 280/150 AB, 46/87 [51] Int. Cl. B60r 21/08 [58] Field ofSearch 280/150 AB; 46/87, 88, 9O

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,617,073 11/1971 Landsman280/150 AB 2,899,214 8/1959 DAntini 280/150 AB 2,755,125 7/1956 Hodges280/150 AB 3.510,]50 5/1970 Wilfert 280/150 AB 3,591,201 7/1971 Brawn eta1. 280/150 AB Primary ExaminerDavid Schonbcrg Assistant lz'xaminen-JohnP. Silverstrim Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBricn; Harvey B.Jacobson 51 Feb. 12, 1974 [57 ABSTRACT A plurality of individually orcollectively actuatablc air bag restraint devices for disposition bothforward of and alongside of each passenger seating area within avehicle. Each individual device is strategically located to provide themaximum cushioning effect with a minimum of obstruction within thepassenger seating area within the associated vehicle. Each air bagrestraint device includes a hollow open-sided housing designed for flushor recessed mounting in an associated vehicle body portion and the openside of the housing is covered by a fluid impervious stretchablemembrane whereby the discharging of a selected gas under pressure intothe housing will cause the membrane to be inflated and expandedoutwardly of the open side of the housing to cushion any object movingin a direction toward the housing.

9 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures RETRACTABLE VEHICLE PASSENGER CUSHIONINGSYSTEM The passenger cushioning system of the instant invention has beenspecifically designed to provide a structure of limited depth that maybe readily recessed into various vehicle body portions and whichtherefore need not require extensive body modifications to beaccommodated and enable the cushioning system to be readily adapted foruse in substantially all vehicles.

In the past air bag restraint devices have involved complexly foldedair-impervious bags and also bulky bag enclosing and ejecting structurewhich results in a bulky and complex apparatus that may not be readilymounted in a recessed position within existing vehicle body portions. Inaddition, previous air bag restraint devices have not been readilyretractable to their original position for subsequent use after havingbeen once actuated.

It is accordingly the main object of this invention to provide apassenger cushioning system incorporating a plurality of strategicallylocated inflatable passenger restraint devices of reduced bulk that maybe readily mounted in recessed positions within various vehicle bodyportions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a passenger cushioningsystem of the air bag type constructed in a manner whereby the usual airbag portion thereof is replaced by a stretchable fluid-imperviousmembrane in order that the membrane may quickly reassume its storedcondition after having once been actuated upon deactuation of thecushioning system thereby enabling the cushioning system to besubsequently actuated without excessive maintenance.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a vehicle passengercushioning system of the expandable membrane type wherein the membraneis of a soft shock-absorbing material to cushion impact, and wherein themembrane portions thereof may be variously formed so as to assumedifferent shapes when inflated.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein isto provide a passenger cushioning system in accordance with thepreceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms ofmanufacture, by of simple construction and easy to install so as toprovide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting andtrouble free in installation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. I is a fragmentary top plan view of a conventional form ofpassenger type motor vehicle with the top thereof removed and aplurality of the individual units of the passenger cushioning system ofthe instant invention strategically located in front of and to the sidesof the front and rear passenger seating areas of the vehicle;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 22 of FIG. 1and illustrating the manner in which the membrane portion of one of theunits may be expanded to form a passenger restraint member of particularshape;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the unit of the instant inventionillustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially uponthe plane indicated by the section line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating a modified form ofmembrane;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views similar to FIG. 5 but of a second modified formof membrane with the membrane illustrated in its retracted position inFIG. 6 and in its expanded position in FIG. 7;

. FIGS. 8 and 9 are views similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 but illustrating athird modified form of membrane;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 but illustrating afourth modified form of membrane; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 5 butillustrating a fifth modified form of membrane.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10generally designates a conventional form of motor vehicle includinginterior front and rear passenger compartments l2 and 14. A front seatassembly 16 is disposed in the front compartment 12 and a rear seatassembly 18 is disposed in the rear compartment 14. In addition, thevehicle 10 includes a pair of opposite side front doors 20 as well as apair of opposite side rear doors 22.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2 of thedrawings it may be seen that the front passenger compartment 12 includesa transverse dashboard 24 including three recessed portions 26 spacedtherealong defining outwardly opening recesses 28.

A restraint unit is referred to in general by the reference numeral 30and includes an elongated hollow housing 32 defined by top and bottomwalls 34 and 36, opposite end walls 38 and 40 and a rear wall 42. Theforward side of the housing 30 is open and the housing is snugly seatedwithin one of the corresponding recesses 28 and secured in position bymeans of fastener means 41. The end wall 38 has a pressurized gas inletfitting 43 secured therethrough and adapted to be communicated with anysuitable controllable source of gas under pressure.

The front of the housing 32 has a removable frame 44 secured thereoverby means of fasteners 46 and the confronting portions of the frame 44and wall portions of the housing 32 coact to define a dovetailed groove48 extending about the open front side of the housing 32 and in whichthe marginal portions 50 of a fluidimpervious and stretchable membrane52 are anchored.

It may be seen from FIG. 1 of the drawings that three of the housings 32are recessed within the dashboard 24. In addition, four further housings32 are recessed in the doors 20 and 22 and a second set of threehousings 32 are recessed within the back of the seat assembly l6.

Upon actuation of an inertia or impact-actuated control mechanismsuitable fluid under pressuresuch as a gas is ducted into the housings32 through the fittings 42 whereby the membranes 52 will be expandedfrom the positions thereof illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings to theoutwardly projecting passenger cushioning position illustrated in FIG.2.

With attention invited to FIG. 4 of the drawings, it may be seen thatthe mid-portion of the membrane 52 is slightly thicker than the marginalportions thereof and accordingly, when the membrane 52 is expanded inthe manner illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings the membrane 52 isexpanded in a manner so as to project outwardly from the housing 32approximately three times the height of the membrane 52.

However, with attention invited more specifically to FIG. 5 of thedrawings, it may be seen that a second form of membrane 56 has a narrowor thin zone 58 ex tending along its mid-portion and includes relativelythick outer peripheral portions 60. In this manner, when the membrane 56is expanded, it will assume the generally cylindrical configuration 58'illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 6 of the drawings there may be seen still another form ofmembrane 62 having a relatively thick center portion 64 and thinnermarginal portions 66 whereby the membrane 62, when expanded, will beshaped in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. Of course,the similarity between the membranes 52 and 62 may be readilyappreciated.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIG. 8 of the drawings,there may be seen a membrane 68 which is similar to the membrane 62 butwhose thickened central portion 70 is disclosed closer to the lowermarginal portion of the membrane 68 and spaced further from the uppermarginal portion of the membrane 68. When the membrane 68 is expanded,it will assume the slightly downwardly deflected condition illustratedin FIG. 9.

From FIG. 10 of the drawings there may be seen a fourth modified form ofmembrane referred to by the reference numeral 72 and which includes athin relatively wide central portion 74 and relatively thick outermarginal portion 76 whereby the membrane 72 will assume theconfiguration thereof illustrated in FIG. 11 when inflated.

From FIG. 12 of the drawings there may be seen a fifth modified form ofmembrane 78 which tapers in thickness from its upper marginal edgeportion toward its lower marginal edge portion. Of course, the membrane78, when expanded, will assume an outward and upwardly curvingconfiguration and thus the membrane 78 would be well suited for mountingon a lower dashboard portion or beneath the lower marginal edge portionof an associated dashboard.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings an alternate position for mounting thehousings 32 is designated by phantom lines as at 32'. In this instance,the housings 32' may be mounted on top of the upper surface of thedashboard 24 and the membrane utilized may be either in the form of themembrane 68 or the membrane 78, when inverted.

Inasmuch as the membranes 52, 58, 62, 68, 72 and 78 are constructed offluid-impervious stretchable material, after the membranes have oncebeen inflated and the inflation pressure has been released, themembranes will again return to their original positions in readiness forsubsequent actuation. Further, if suitable modifications are providedfor ducting the pressurized gases into the various housings, thehousings may be even further reduced in thickness so as to be still morereadily recessible within existing body portions.

Of course, the restraint unit 30 may be utilized in many different typesof vehicles such as planes, boats, buses and trucks, etc. for thepurpose of cushioning passengers as well as the drivers of thesevehicles. Further, the housings 32 may be of any desired crosssectionalshape so as to be readily adaptable for mounting in the associatedvehicle as space permits. Also, other shapes of inflated membranes maybe utilized by varying the thickness of the membranes throughoutspecific areas thereof. In this manner, a membrane to be inflated to aparticular shape, within limits, may be provided for a specificapplication.

In addition, the housings 32 may be recessed or flush mounted as desiredand the size of the inflated membrane may be varied by controlling theamount of fluid under pressure utilized to inflate the membrane.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An occupant restraint system for a vehicle including an occupantreceiving area bound at its forward extremity by a first vehicle bodyportion and on its opposite sides by means of second and third vehiclebody portions, said system including individual occupant restraintassemblies recessed in said body portions so as to be generally flushwith the surfaces of said body portions facing into said area, each ofsaid assemblies including an opensided housing opening into said area,an upstanding flexible elastic membrane of fluidimpervious materialsecured over each housing open side and having its peripheral edgessealingly secured relative to said housing, each of said housingsincluding means for admitting gas under pressure thereinto, and each ofsaid membranes including specific areas thereof of different thicknessand other areas thereof extending between said specific areas and whichtaper in thickness from the specific area of greater thickness to thespecific area of lesser thickness.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said housings and the open sidesthereof are horizontally elongated.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said membranes are ofsubstantially constant thickness throughout a major pottion of theircentral areas and are tapered slightly toward their marginal edges.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said membranesincludes relatively thick marginal edge portions and tapers in thicknesstoward the center thereof.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said membranesincludes a central area of relatively great thickness and a peripherallyextending zone of lesser thickness.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said central zone of relativelygreat thickness is spaced closer to one marginal portion of saidmembrane than the opposite marginal portion thereof.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said membranesincludes a central area of relatively little thickness and a surroundingperipheral zone of greater thickness.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said membranestapers in thickness from one marginal edge portion thereof toward theother marginal edge portion thereof.

3 ,79 1 ,667 5 6 9. An occupant restraint assembly to be recessedmembrane, said membrane including a first area Within a Vehicle yPortion facing into an Occupant thereof which is of a first thicknessand a second area receiving area of a vehicle, said assembly includingan thereof which is a Second lesser thickness said Open-sided housing anupstandnig flexflile brane including a third area thereof extendingbetween membrane secured over the open side of said housing 5 said firstand second areas and whlch tapers in thickand having its peripheraledges sealingly secured relative to said housing, said housing includingmeans for Hess from Said first area toward 531d Second areaadmitting gasunder pressure thereinto behind said

1. An occupant restraint system for a vehicle including an occupantreceiving area bound at its forward extremity by a first vehicle bodyportion and on its opposite sides by means of second and third vehiclebody portions, said system including individual occupant restraintassemblies recessed in said body portions so as to be generally flushwith the surfaces of said body portions facing into said area, each ofsaid assemblies including an opensided housing opening into said area,an upstanding flexible elastic membrane of fluid-impervious materialsecured over each housing open side and having its peripheral edgessealingly secured relative to said housing, each of said housingsincluding means for admitting gas under pressure thereinto, and each ofsaid membranes including specific areas thereof of different thicknessand other areas thereof extending between said specific areas and whichtaper in thickness from the specific area of greater thickness to thespecific area of lesser thickness.
 2. The combination of claim 1 whereinsaid housings and the open sides thereof are horizontally elongated. 3.The combination of claim 2 wherein said membranes are of substantiallyconstant thickness throughout a major pottion of their central areas andare tapered slightly toward their marginal edges.
 4. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein at least one of said membranes includes relatively thickmarginal edge portions and tapers in thickness toward the centerthereof.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of saidmembranes includes a central area of relatively great thickness and aperipherally extending zone of lesser thickness.
 6. The combination ofclaim 5 wherein said central zone of relatively great thickness isspaced closer to one marginal portion of said membrane than the oppositemarginal portion thereof.
 7. The combination of claim 1 wherein at leastone of said membranes includes a central area of relatively littlethickness and a surrounding peripheral zone of greater thickness.
 8. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said membranes tapers inthickness from one marginal edge portion thereof toward the othermarginal edge portion thereof.
 9. An occupant restraint assembly to berecessed within a vehicle body portion facing into an occupant receivingarea of a vehicle, said assembly including an open-sided housing, anupstanding flexible elastic membrane secured over the open side of saidhousing and having its peripheral edges sealingly secured relative tosaid housing, said housing including means for admitting gas underpressure thereinto behind said membrane, said membrane including a firstarea thereof which is of a first thickness and a second area thereofwhich is a second lesser thickness, said membrane including a third areathereof extending between said first and second areas and which tapersin thickness from said first area toward said second area.